Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe
A delicious and elegant dish featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with fresh asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese. The chicken is seasoned with Italian herbs and smoked paprika, seared in a skillet for a golden crust, then baked to juicy perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lb.)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Stuffing
- 12 asparagus stalks (ends trimmed)
- 1 ounce sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken after searing.
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a clean cutting board and evenly sprinkle them with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and pepper on both sides.
- Create Pockets: Carefully slice each chicken breast lengthwise to create a pocket for the stuffing, making sure not to cut all the way through.
- Prepare Stuffing: Trim and wash the asparagus stalks. Place three asparagus stalks and some chopped sun-dried tomatoes onto each slice of mozzarella cheese, then roll the cheese around the veggies tightly.
- Stuff Chicken: Insert one cheese roll with asparagus and tomatoes into the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the opening with a toothpick to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the stuffed chicken breasts and sear each side until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes per side.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Remove toothpicks and serve the asparagus stuffed chicken breasts hot. Enjoy your flavorful and nutritious meal!
Notes
- Be careful not to cut all the way through the chicken breasts when creating pockets to hold the stuffing securely.
- Make sure to trim the woody ends of the asparagus for a tender bite.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the chicken’s internal temperature for safe consumption.
- Searing the chicken before baking helps lock in juices and creates a delicious crust.
- To prevent cheese leakage during cooking, secure the pocket well with toothpicks.
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